As a resident of New York, I’ve had a front-row seat to the incredible changes that came with our state's ban on plastic bags in March 2020. Before the ban, plastic bags littered the streets, tangled in trees, and clogged up waterways. But since the new rule went into effect, there’s been a noticeable difference. Our parks look cleaner, our neighborhoods are more vibrant, and our rivers are flowing more freely. This shift didn’t just improve the beauty of our surroundings; it’s also made a huge difference to the health of our ecosystems.

It was amazing to witness how quickly people adapted, trading disposable plastic for reusable bags. That simple switch drastically reduced plastic pollution, and I can’t help but feel a sense of pride in the way New Yorkers stepped up. This local success story is proof that we can make a real difference when policies are in place to push us in the right direction.

But this isn’t just a New York story—it’s a global issue. Every year, an estimated 100 billion plastic bags are used in the United States, and millions of these end up in our oceans and landfills, suffocating wildlife and contaminating ecosystems. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a single plastic bag can take up to 500 years to decompose. Think about that: every bag we’ve ever used could still be out there, slowly breaking down into harmful microplastics that make their way into our food and water. That’s not the legacy we want to leave behind.

Countries like Denmark and Ireland have shown us that a simple charge on plastic bags can bring about massive change. In Ireland, for instance, a bag tax introduced in 2002 led to a 90% reduction in plastic bag use, according to National Geographic. If such measures can work overseas, why not here in the U.S.? By implementing a $1 national charge for plastic bags, we can significantly reduce consumption and promote more eco-friendly habits.

What this petition is proposing is to not only implement a minimum $1 charge on plastic bags across our country, but most importantly donate 100% of the $1 charges into environmental organizations dedicated to preserving and saving the environment. Donating to non-profits such as the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Sierra Club would be pivotal in taking steps to preserve that which sustains life.

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is a United States–based 501(c)(3)non-profit international environmental advocacy group, with its headquarters in New York City and offices in Washington D.C., San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Bozeman, India, and Beijing. The group was founded in 1970 in opposition to a hydro-electric power power plant in New York, and as of 2019, the NRDC had over three million members, with online activities nationwide, and a staff of about 700 lawyers, scientists and other policy experts. The NRDC states that the purpose of its work is to "safeguard the earth—its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends," and to "ensure the rights of all people to the air, the water and the wild, and to prevent special interests from undermining public interests." Their stated areas of work include: "climate change, communities, energy, food, health, oceans, water, and the wild". As a legal advocacy group, the NRDC works to accomplish environmental goals by operating within the legal system to reduce pollution and protect natural resources through litigation, and by working with professionals in science, law, and policy at the national and international level. States around the country partnering with this amazing initiative would work wonders for our environment, and boost environmental awareness among U.S. Residents astronomically.

The Sierra Club is an American environmental organization with chapters in all 50 U.S. states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico. The club was founded in 1892, in San Francisco, by preservationist John Muir, who was a strong advocate for the preservation of the environment and national parks. A product of the progressive movement, it was one of the first large-scale environmental preservation organizations in the world. Since the 1950s, it has lobbied politicians to promote environmentalist policies, even if they are controversial. The Sierra Club's stated mission is "To explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth; To practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; To educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives," which aligns perfectly with the goal of this petition. In addition to this, the Sierra Club is experienced and is historically successful with utilizing political activism to promote environmental causes. If partnered with the ideas of this petition, this Club could take it to the next level and contribute imperative and impacful change in this pressing issue.

There is no planet B. It’s time we prioritize the health of our planet by implementing a nationwide $1 charge on plastic bags. Let’s push for policies that not only reduce waste but also encourage people to think more carefully about the environmental impact of their everyday choices. We can make a real, lasting change—one dollar at a time. Join me in urging our lawmakers to act now. Sign the petition, and let’s move toward a cleaner, greener future for everyone.